Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
9. Go into space.
10. Go wild at La Tomintina.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Gaze at Borobudor.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Machu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club.
18. Visit Antarctica.
19. Do development work.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. See the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Fly first class.
33. Go to Israel.
34. Carnival!!!!
35. Mardi Gras!
36. Cannes Film Festival.
37. Sundance Film Festival.
38. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
39. Pacific Island hop.
40. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel.
41. See Glacier National Park.

Book Your Travel Here!!

One of the most wonderful things about long term travel is that it’s well, long term. And because you have more time to travel you have a greater opportunity to choose to travel green. As someone who has traveled long term, I know it can sometimes be hard to feel like we can still make an impact. Here are some ways for you to help the environment and travel green on the long road.

Make an effort from the beginning
From the start, think about ways that you can make your trip a little greener. Whether it’s by making a conscious effort to eat locally or walking a mile instead of taking the bus, be aware of your impact and think about the changes you can make to your travels. (If you have no idea where to start see the tips at the end of this post)

Turn these Efforts into Habits
Once you made the initial commitment to traveling greener, turn your efforts into habits. Turn off the lights, carry a reusable bag with you (which is almost a must when traveling since many countries charge you for a shopping bag), or reuse a water bottle. Do these small things each and every day and make them habits. The more we get used to doing something, the more second nature it becomes.

Respect the Local Culture
Sometimes when vagabonding you begin to miss your home country, customs, and culture. As a green traveler you should remember to not only respect, but also to entrench yourself in the local culture. When I lived in Russia there was a bar run by an American expat and we visited this bar what in hindsight may have been too often. Yes it was fun to have a hamburger and banana split once in awhile, but we could have been frequenting truly local spots, sipping Baltika in beer tents or downing vodka in the park. The “Western lifestyle” usually has to be imported and transportation of goods is a sure way to increase your carbon foot print. Live locally…..you came there for a reason right?

Keep Traveling Slowly
The best way to be a green traveler is to keep traveling slowly. Bus, bike, walk, or train. Try to avoid air travel. Planes have a huge impact on the atmosphere and exacerbates climate change. Pick an alternative mode of transportation and see the countryside! There’s no rush to get to the next destination when you’re Vagabonding the Green Way!

5 Practical Tips for the Green Vagabonder
Pack less stuff.
Why it’s Green: When you pack light, fewer resources are required to transport your stuff.
Why it Helps You: You’ll save your back. (We all know a time when we were miserable from carrying too much stuff.)

Carry a water bottle.
Why it’s Green: No waste created from empty bottles.
Why it Helps You: You save money because you won’t have to buy water. Another option is (if you can’t drink the local water) to buy extra large jugs of water, leave them at the hostel; filling your bottle with only what you will need that day.

Walk, walk, walk.
Why it’s Green: No carbon emissions when walking.
Why it Helps You: You’ll stay in shape and you’ll save money.

When you can’t walk, take public transportation.
Why it’s Green: Fewer carbon emissions than a rental car or a taxi.
Why it Helps You: You get to really experience the local way of life and maybe meet an interesting local. (Plus it’s cheaper.)

Eat less food and eat locally
Why it’s Green: The “carbon footprint” of food is extraordinary! Eating less means there’s less waste and eating locally means a smaller footprint.
Why It Helps You: You’ll be healthier and save money. Also you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the local culture.

So use these tips to help travel green and save the environment!

Elizabeth Sanberg is avid traveler committed to reducing her environmental impact without spending a fortune. She currently lives in Washington, DC and is the co-editor of Go Green Travel Green.

7 Responses to “Vagabonding the Green Way”

1. Anthony on July 27th, 2008 4:12 pm

   The walking part is what I love about traveling. Unfortunately where I live, that isn’t an option, so you have to drive if you want to get anywhere. Not the case in Chicago, NYC, Madrid, Barcelona or other cities I have visited where you only take public transportation when your legs get tired of walking or its too far of a walk to get somewhere and you take a bus or subway.

2. Cuckoo on July 28th, 2008 2:00 am

   Great tips there, agree with you completely.
   Of course I follow quite a few of them.
   Not only walks, I try to use the local transport sometimes to get a feel of it avoiding completely the much expensive cabs etc.

   Keep writing.

3. Cris on July 28th, 2008 10:29 am

   We all should do this in life, not only travelling! Green living. =)

4. Russia Travel Club on July 28th, 2008 3:01 pm

   Thanks for great recommendations. You forgot to mention to take less money with you so you would be forced to do these things.

5. Tanya on July 28th, 2008 5:45 pm

   The reusable bag tip is a great one, Matt. It’s such a simple way to make a real impact.

6. make money online on July 29th, 2008 3:16 pm

   make money online…

   I really appreciate your posts. Thanks!…

7. The Dude on August 3rd, 2008 3:16 am

   tip no. 6: buy rechargeable batteries for your camera and devices

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